Project Purple creates Jamie Polite Fund

BEACON FALLS — Project Purple announced the establishment of the Jamie Polite Fund to benefit New Haven firefighter Jamie Polite, who is battling pancreatic cancer, and his family.

“We are honored to have the amazing opportunity to assist Jamie and his family,” stated Chairman of Project Purple Dino Verrelli, a Beacon Falls resident, in a press release. “Project Purple could not think of a more deserving person to help during his time of need. A true hero, Jamie is fighting for his life and we at Project Purple want to help his family with the mounting costs associated with his care.”

Project Purple is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds toward a cure for pancreatic cancer.

Polite, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and New Haven firefighter, was recognized as a Red Cross Hero in 2013 for saving the life of a drowning victim at Lighthouse Park. Now in need of lifesaving himself, Polite and his family are struggling with this devastating cancer.

“Project Purple is dedicated to providing pancreatic cancer patients with not only patient support, like care bags and support groups,” Verrelli said. “But we are also dedicated to providing financial support to patients in treatment for Pancreatic Cancer.”

Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is not something new to the Polite family. Polite’s mother, aunt, brother and grandmother all passed away from this devastating cancer at the ages of 56, 44, 43 and 67 respectively, the release stated.

Polite is focused on healing and returning to work.

“I am not finished. I caught it early and I plan on going back to work. I truly believe that I have more things on this earth to do and more people to save,” said Polite during his Red Cross interview.